NBA: Pacers F Danny Granger to Miss 3 Weeks With Calf Injury

Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, who missed 77 games last season with a jumper's knee injury, will miss the first three weeks of the 2013-14 NBA season with a calf injury he sustained in the preseason.

"Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger will miss approximately three weeks as he rehabilitates a strained left calf injury sustained in the preseason. The length of time is a precautionary measure as the team wants to ensure Granger is physically ready to play in light of missingall but five games last season due to his knee injury.

"The rehabilitation time is strictly related to the calf injury."

Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star points out the calf injury was sustained in the first quarter of a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 16. He aggravated it when the Pacers played the Chicago Bulls two days later.

"It's no big deal. I mean, honestly, it coudl be a week. It's just -- we want to give myself some time. Like I said, it's a calf strain. I'd rather (the injury) be that than something else, honestly.

"Oh no, it's not discouraging at all. It's a muscle strain. When you're dealing with a muscle strain, it's a lot different than if you're dealing with a joint injury. My knee's been fine, I'm very happy. I had a muscle strain -- no big deal."

With Granger sitting out an estimated seven or eight regular-season games to kick off the season, Lance Stephenson is expected to start for the Pacers, per the Associated Press.